NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9580, 3 August 1894, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sbavt showers fell at intervals -all ,ye 3' terday. '■ .' r' : ..-':. : \:'..-'' ' It is said that) there are three gamblers to tee drunkard. The Patea County Press heads an article Da the Financial Statement, "Ta-ra-ra-ftpom-de-ay." "■■'■■•'''•'■ •-' The poll taken at Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, a few days ago, to borrow £600 to metal the streets and carry out other works, was carried. The affairs of the Petone Woollen Mill aro assuming a decidedly bright aspect. A busy time is anticipated at the mill in the immediate future. Sir Robert Stout will lecture in Carterton on 13th August, under the auspices of the Wairarapa Liberal Association, talcing for his subject " The True Liberalism and the False." The only occupant of the lock-up last Bvening was a lad named Diver, charged with larceny of medals, some foreign coins, and a brooch, the property of Constable Hinton. The scaffolding has now been removed from the Government Life Insurance Office, Wellington. The sculpture work, both inside and outside, is very fine, and the Oamaru stone which has been used Jocks remarkably handsome. The lessees of the Pomahaka Estate, recently purchased by the Government, contemplate applying for a reduction of rent. They consider they now pay higher than the price since paid for Mr. Logan's improved estate, near Clinton, notwithstanding that the latter is better soil, and close to the railway. A New Zealand skipper, in referring to some of the recent wrecks, made, the other day, a sweeping criticism on the condition in which some of the craft sailing in New Zealand waters are allowed to go out of port. Some, he says, have not a " sail fit to fiy with or a rope good enough to hang a cat." The Oamaru Borough Council lately discussed what relief should be given to those persons who had lost their publicans' licenses. It was stated that in one case a house that had been let for £3 a week now let for only 30s. It was decided to allow a remission of rates as from July 1, when the bouses ceased to be hotels. The Onehunga Musical Society held its third concert of the season last evening in the Society's Hall, when they rendered Handel's " Ada and Galatea." The soloists were: Galatea, Mrs. Warren (soprano) Damon, Mr. Higgins; Acis, Mr. Arthur Jackson (tenor); Messrs. Watts and Pullan (bass), Polypheme. The concert was a great success. During the hearing of a case at Wanganui, His Worship Mr. Kettle peremptorily ordered a witness out of the box, as be considered him too intoxicated to give evidence. Later on, as the man continued to hang about the Court room, Mr. Kettle authorised his arrest, and ordered him to appear next morning to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt of Court.

The Bush Advocate says:— Land in Messrs. Smith and Cadman'a block shows so sign of failing in price. On the other hand, late sales show that values have a distinctly upward tendency. Mr. W. Rose reports that he has sold a 25-acre section, which was originally bought for £90, the price now realised being £150. Another section recently showed a similar increase in value.